Tailpiece for stringed musical instruments.



G. D. LAURIAN.

'TAILPIEGE FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUN}; 24, 1910.

970,626. Patented Sept.20,1.910.

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TAILPIEGE FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1910.

970,626. Patented Sept.20,1910.

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g=mi wl t" @0009 GEORGE D. LAUBIAN, OF KALAMAZOO, lVIIC mean,

ASSIGNOR TO GIBSON IVIANDOLIN- GUITAR COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

TAILPIECE FOR Specification of Letters Patent.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

Application filed June 24, 1910. Serial No. 568,725.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tailpieces for Stringed Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tail pieces for stringed musical instruments.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved tail piece for stringed musical instruments by which the strings are secured so that they are not likely to slip or loosen in use. Second, to provide an improved tail piece for stringed musical instruments embodying these advantages, to which the strings may be very quickly attached or detached.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The structure described constitutes one effective embodiment of my invention. Other embodiments would be readily devised by those skilled in the art.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting an effective and preferred embodiment of the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a plan View of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the structure appearing in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section taken on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail plan View with the cap plate 10 of the tail piece removed. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 3.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the body 1 of the instrument illustrated is of the mandolin type and is provided with the usual finger board 2. The strings 3 are arranged over D. LAURIAN,

I rear end of the cap the bridge 4:, as is common practice in instruments of this type. The strings are secured to the body by my improved tail piece, which consists of a tail piece plate 5 having a. downturned attaching arm or plate 6 at its rear end, and an rip-turned string rest 7 at its forward end. On its side edges the plate 5 is provided with up-turned flanges 8 with which the down-turned flanges 9 of the cap plate 10 are adapted to slidably engage. 65

The tail piece 5 is provided with a plurality of upwardly-projecting string-attaching hooks 11. A portion at least of these hooks are arranged in coacting pairs, the second hook of each pair being disposed at one side of and substantially at right angles to the other hook of the pair so that the loops of the strings may be engaged over the second hook of the pair and passed under the first hook (see Fig. 4:.) These pairs of hooks are especially desirable for the plain wire or unwound strings because of the high tension on these strings, and the desirability of securing them so that they do not slip or yield in their fastening. By forming the loops in the end of the strings and twisting the upper portions of the loops, as at 12, and engaging the loop over the second hook of a pair and passing the twisted portion thereof under the first loop, as illustrated, a snubbing post effect is secured on the strings so that the fastening is very secure, and the unwinding of the loop is prevented. The hooks, when thus arranged, may be grouped very compactly.

The forward end, as 15, of the cap plate projects over and beyond the string rest 7 of the tail piece, the plate preferably coacting with the string rest in forming a clamp for the strings at this point. The plate is provided with a down-turned.v flange 16 which gives a complete, finished appearance to the structure.

In addition to holding the strings very securely, my improved tail piece is simple and economical in structure, and the strings may be very conveniently attached or detached thereon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A stringed musical instrument comprising a tail piece having a downturned at taching arm at its rear end, an upturned string rest at its forward end, upturned flanges on its side edges and a plurality of upwardly projecting string-engaging hooks, a portion, at least, of said hooks being arranged in coacting pairs, one hook of each pair being disposed at one side of and substantially at right angles to the other, the said parts being formed integrally of sheet metal; and a sheet metal cap plate having downturned flanges at its sides and rear and the said flanges being adapted to embrace the said flanges of said tail piece, the forward end of said cap plate being adapted to project over the said upturned string rest.

2. A stringed musical instrument comprising a tail piece having a downturned attaching arm at its rear end, an upturned string rest at its forward end, and a plurality of upwardly projecting string-engaging hooks, a portion, at least, of said hooks being arranged in coacting pairs, one hook of each pair being disposed at one side of and substantially at right angles to the other, the said parts being formed integrally of sheet metal.

3. A stringed musical instrument comprising a tail piece having a string rest at its forward end, and a plurality of upwardly projecting string-engaging hooks, a portion, at least, of said hooks being arranged in coacting pairs, one hook of each pair being disposed at one side of and substantially at right angles to the other.

4. A stringed musical instrument comprising atail piece having a plurality of upwardly-projecting stung-engaging hooks, a portion, at least, of said hooks being arranged in coacting pairs, one hook of each pair being disposed at one side of and substantially at right angles to the other.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE D. LAURIAN. 

